Punch and die retainer



Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

UNITED. STATES v 1,621,811 PATENT OFFICE.

oar-1s x. RICHIARD AND CLEMENT! c. RICHARD, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

rUNcH AND DIE RETAINER.

Application filed August 24, 1922. Serial No. 583,989.

This invention relates to punch and die retainers and is an improvementon our former Patent No. 1,393,404, dated October ll, 1921.

' The principal objects of the invention is to provide a retainer forpunches and dies in which the punch or die may be readily sccured orremoved and is rigidly held in posi and die retainer of the characterabove set forth in which the ball retaining aperture for the punch ispositioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the punch and theball retaining aperture for the die is positioned at an anglesubstantially'opposite to that of the ball retaining aperture of thepunch 'whereby the withdrawal movement of the punch from the dieprevents longitudinal movement of either tool in its holder and preventsthe die from following the punch or the punch from remaining in the die.These objects and the several novel features of the invention arehereinafter more fully described and claimed and the preferred form ofconstruction by which these objects are attained is shown in theaccompanying drawings in which,-

F ig.-1-is an enlarged section through a punch and die and retainerstherefor illustrating the means for securing a punch or die in therespective retainer.

Fig. 2 is a section through the punch and retainer taken on line 2-2 ofFig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 1 aretainer is used with each punch and die and theretainer 1 is formed with an annular flange 2 at the upper end thereofwhich is secured against the punch plate 3 by means of a punch retainerplate 4 having an annular shoulder engaging the annular flange 2 andsecured to the punch plate 3 by machine screws 5. The punch 'late 3 isprovided with a hardened steel Backing plate 6 for the punch 7 which isinserted in the central aperture provided therefor in the retainer 1.The shank of the punch 7 is made about one-thousandth of an inch smallerin diameter than the aperture therefor in the retainer 1 so that thepunch may be easily inserted or removed from the aperture and is asliding fit therein. Within the wall of the retainer 1 is an angularlyextending aperture 8' which extends preferabl to an angle of about 15degrees to the longitudinal axis of the punch. A ball 9 is supported inthe aperture 8 on a-coiled spring 10, the opposite end of the springbeing pro-' vided with an end 11 secured in an aperture 12 provldedtherefor in the retainer 1. As Will be seen from Fig. l the aperture 8opens into the central aperture of the retainer but the opening throughwhich the ball extends is less than the diameter of the ball 9 therebypreventing the ball from passing out of the aperture 8. The shank 13 ofthe punch is provided with a groove 14 for the ball 9 which is arcuatein cross section as shown in Fig. 2 and isof the same diameter as theball .9. The portion 15 of the groove extends at an angle ofapproximately 12 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the punch andterminates at the ower end in an arcuate portion 16 as shown in Fig. 1.As will be seen from Figs. 1 and 2 the ball 9' extends into the groove14 in the punch shank'and is tightly held in engagement therein by thecoiled spring 10, the opposite side of the ball at the same timeengaging the angularly positioned wall of the aperture 8.

' As shown in the lower half of Fig.' '1 a die or die block 17 isprovided which is held in a retainer 18 similar to the retainer 1 'forthe punch shank and this die is provided with a groove 19 which isexactly the same as the groove 14 in the punch shank. The retainer thegroove 19 is provided with a portion 21 extending at an angle of 12degrees to the longitudinal axis of the die block, the die block beingaboutone-thousandth of an inch smaller in diameter than the aperturethere for in the retainer 18. Within the aperture 20 is a coiled spring22 which is provided with an end 23 secured in an aperture 24 providedtherefor and-a ball 25 is supported on the upper end of the spring 22.This construction of the retainer is exactly similar to the constructionof the retainer 1 except that the construction is reversed. The spring22 in like manner forces the ball 25 into the groove 19 of the dieblockl? and prevents the same from Withdrawal from the retainer 1 andacts as a key in preventing rotation of the die block. The retainer 18is provided with an annular flange 26 and a retainer plate 27 isprovided having an' annular shoulder adapted toengage the annular flange26 and is secured to thebase 28 by machine screws 29. A hardened plate30 is set into thebase 28 which block and alds in preventing breakage ofthe die. block from the heavy blows delivered by the punch.

To assemble the device the punch 7 is slip' ed into the central recessin the retainer by and which forces the ball 9 back into the aperture 8.The punch is then turned until the groove 14 therein is brought toregistration with the aperture 8 at'which time the coiled spring 10 willforce the ball 9 into the groove 14, the ball engaging between theconverging faces of the aperture 8 and groove 15. This engagement of theball 9 in the groove 14 prevents rotation of the punch in relation tothe retainer and also prevents withdrawal of the punch from the ret inerby the binding'action of the ball 9 aperture 14 and the angular wall ofthe aperture 8, withdrawal of the punch tending to compress the ballbetween the two angular faces. The hardened plate 6 against which theupper end of the punch shank engages prevents upper movement of thepunch and in this manner the punch is locked in the retainer and is heldimmovable therein.

\ This is also true of the die ordie block 17 1 'by the spring from andout of the groove 14 or 19 in the a punch or the die block respectivelywhereupon either the punch or die block may be easily withdrawn from therespective groove by hand due to the diameter'thereof being slightlyless than the diameter of the respective aperture in the retainer. Itwill be noted that the retainers are not limited ,to use witlfanycertain type of tool but tudinal movement in relation to may be used indifferent, types of punch presses, drilli presses, and other .machineswhere a tool must necessarily be held from rotation and at the same time.frorr'i"';longie ,retainer or chuck within which it is secured. Due tothe punch or die block being very close in size to the aperture in whichit is secured the action of the springs 10 or 22 forcing the ball 9 or25 to locking position wedges the. punch or die block into rov'ides abacking for the die tween the angular wall 15 of the,

tight engagement with the sides of the aperture in the respectiveretainer. B positioning the angular apertures 8 an tendency of the dieblock to travel with the punch is prevented and the tendency of thepunch to remain in the die block is also prevented by the "retainers aswill be readily understood,

' From the foregoing description it becomes evident that the'device isvery simple and eflicient in operation, will not easily get outof'order, is composed of few parts and is of consequent lowmanufacturing cost .and provides a device which accomplishes the objectsdescribed.

Having thus fully described my invention,

.its utility and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States is- 20 at opposite angles asshown inFig.- 1 the 1. In a retainer for punches, dies', and 7 similar tools, abase having a hardened plate set therein, a centrally apertured retainerdetachably secured to the base 'over the plate,

the tool having a shank adapted for insertion'in the apertured retainerand being a sliding fit therein, the hardened plate providing a backingfor the tool and the tool being provided with a groove in the sidethereof extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis thereof, theretainer also hav ing an aperture in the wallthereof extending at aslightly greater angle to the longitudinal axis of the tool. than thesaid-groove and opening into the'central aperture, a ball in the annularaperture of the retainer and acoile'd spring secured in the saidaperture and adapted to force the ball into engagement in the groove ofthe tool shank.

2. In a retainer for punches, dies and similar tools, .a base, acentrally apertured retainer detachably secured to the base, the

tool having a shank adapted'for insertion in the apertured retainer andbeing provided with a-groove in the side thereof extending atan angle tothe longitudinal axis of the tool, the retainer also having an aperturein the wall thereof extending at a slightly greater angle to thelongitudinal axis of,

the'tool than the said groove and opening into the central aperture, anda spring pressed ball in the angular aperture of the retainer adaptedtoengage in the groove of the tool shank, the said groove beingarcuatein cross section and of a r'adius equal to that-of the ball.

3 I-n a retainer for punches, dies, and similar'ltools, a basehaving ahardened plate set therein, a centrally apertured retainer detachablysecured to the base over the plate, the tool having a shank adaptedformserti'on-in the apertured retainer to engage the hardenedplate andbeing provided with a groove in the side thereof extending at an angleto the longitudinal axis of the tool, the retainer also having an aperture in the wall thereof extending at a slightly greater angle to thelongitudinal axis of the tool than the said groove and opening into thecontral aperture and a spring pressed ball in the angular aperture ofthe retainer adapted to engage in the groove of the tool shank.

4. In a retainer for punches, dies and similar tools, a base, acentrally apertured retainer secured to the base, the tool having ashank adapted for insertion in the apertured retainer and being providedwith a groove in the side thereof extending at an angle of approximately12 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the tool, the retainer alsohaving an aperture in the wall thereof extending at an angle ofapproximately 15 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the tool andopening into the central aperture and a spring pressed ball in theangular aperture of the retainer adapted to engage in the groove of thetool shank.

5. In a retainer for punches, dies and similar tools, a base, acentrally apertured retainer detachably secured to the base, the toolhaving a shank slidably fitting the aperture of the retainer, said shankhaving a groove formed in one side thereof arcuate in form incrosssection and extending into the shank on a straight line at an angleto the axis of the said shank, said retainer having an aperture in thewall thereof extending at a slightly greater angle to the axis of theshank than the angle of the said groove, the said aperture opening intothe central a erture of the retainer,and a spring-pressed all in thesaid aperture engaging in the groove of the tool shank.

6. In a retainer for punches, dies and similar tools a plate having anaperture for the tool shank or body and a second aperture openingthereinto and lying at an angle thereto, a spring-pressed member in saidsecond aperture, the shank or body of the tool having a surface engagedby the springpressed member extending on a straight line at an angle tothe axis of said shank or body whereby said member isin wedging relationbetween said surface and. the wall of its aperture and preventswithdrawal of the tool from the plate.

7. In a retainer for punches, dies and similar tools a plate having anaperture for the tool shank or body and a second aperture openingthereinto and lying at an angle thereto, a spring-pressed ball in saidsecond aperture, the shank or body of the tool having a groove formedtherein of a shape in cross-section to fit the ball and the bottom ofwhich extends into the shank for a distance on a straight line at anangle to the longitudinal axis of the shank, said ball being in wedgingrelation with the tool and preventing longitudinal movement thereof andholding the tool from rotative movement in the plate.

8. In a retainer for punches, dies and similar tools, a plate having anaperture in which the shank of the tool may be inserted longitudinallyofits axis and a second aperture'opening into the first aperture, saidtool shank being provided with a surface extending thereinto on astraight line at an angle to the axis thereof, a releasable retainermember in the second aperture engaging the said surface, and a Wallhaving a surface extending ona straight line at an angle to the saidsurface of the shank, the arrangement providing that the retainernormallylies in wedging relation between the two said surfacespreventing movement of the tool longitudinally in its aperture.

9. In a retainer for punches, dies and similar tools, a plate having anape; cure for the tool shank or body and a second aperture'openingthereinto, the said shank having a groove formed in one side onlythereof arcuate in form in cross section and extending into the shank ona straight line at an angle to the axis thereof, a spring pressed ballin the second aperture normally engaging the groove,the radius of theball being approximatelyequal to the radius of the groove in crosssection preventing rotation of the tool in its aperture, and a surfaceon the opposite side of the ball extending at an, an le to the angularsurface of the groove whereby longitu inal movement of the shank in itsaperture is prevented by the wedging relationship of the ball betweenthe two surfaces.

10. In a retainer for punches, dies and similar tools, a plate having anaperture, the tool having a shank insertible therein longitudinally ofits axis, said plate having a second aperture opening into the firstaperture intermediate of its length, the plate and the tool each beingprovided with a surface extending 'on a straight line at an angle one tothe other and to the axis of the tool, and a retainer member in thesecond aperture lying in Wedging relation between the two said surfacesnormally preventing longitudinal movement of the tool in its aperture.

In testimony whereof we sign this specification.

OTIS -K. RICHARD. CLELLENT C. RICHARD.

